GOLDEN, Colo. -- It wasn't quite the start to the season that Midwestern State was hoping for with the 2021 season. The team battled to four sets against Seattle Pacific but fell in the end by 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 21-25, 21-25). The Mustangs garnered a 0-4 record in the Oredigger Classic and the start of the season.

"We battled hard in another good matchup," said Head Coach Valerie Armstrong. "We put together a solid second set and had points to push the match to five."

Midwestern State was close in each set and 11 kills by senior Lissette Lefforge helped tremendously. She led both teams in kills and points (18) and tallied a 0.375 hitting percent. The middle blocker added three aces and eight block assists to her already impressive stats.

Lauryn Bourne also rounded off her weekend with 11 kills in 32 attack chances for 13.5 points in the match.

"When we compete and execute a full 25 point set, we have success," said Armstrong. "We have to stay disciplined in our play and trust our training."

Freshman Kelli Ell had her best performance of the tournament with six kills and one assist. She has tallied 11 total kills in her first four games as a Mustang.

Taylor Anderson sits at 14 block assists for the year and added four against Seattle Pacific. The senior put up five kills and one dig for the team.

Autumn Roach led in assists (20) for another match with Reagan Willms contibuting 13 of her own. Amy DeWalt trailed Bourne's match high digs, earning 11.

"I'm looking forward to next week and getting better before conference," said Armstrong.

The team has a busy week as they take on Southern Nazarne on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Bethany, Okla. The Mustangs then host the Midwestern State Hampton Inn-Vitational on Friday, Sept. 10, and Saturday, Sept. 10. In the span of five days, MSU will compete in five matches.